Bellydance Classes

Hire Leila for your Private Parties! Leila brings an exotic presence to the ancient art of belly dance. Her style is versatile, yet distinct. She engages her audience with a sensual and intuitive presence. Her passion for the dance comes from her part middle eastern background and the ancient sacredness of the movements. Leila means "dark haired beauty" or "dark as night" in Arabic. Leila also refers to the classic Persian folk tale of "Leila and Majun", where Majnun roams the desert, crazed by his beloved Leila. Leila is her birth name, which she currently chooses to use as her dance name. She currently teaches belly dance class, and performs throughout the state with the dance troupe Leela with Salome Jihad. Working with the troupe has brought Leila into her dance identity and she hopes you choose to include her in your next celebration! For Bookings Contact Leila at gypsycello@yahoo.com

Leila's Gypsy Dance Classes Born of Persian ancestry, Leila has been entranced by her middle eastern roots and rhythms, since she can remember. As a cellist, she has experimented with the rich eastern melodies, since the age of 12. It was not until she experienced her first belly dancing class, that she realized that the rhythm was in her hips. The experience of belly dance brought her a spiritual awakening and a self-knowledge that she now wishes to share with others through teaching and live performance art. Leila has been dancing since 1999, starting her dance journey with weekly lessons, she soon found that she wanted to get more involved. Shortly after performing her fist solo, she joined the Award Winning Dance Troupe, Leela with Salome Jihad. The troupe specializes in original, experimental belly dance choreography, that always pleases the crowd! Leila continues to evolve as a dancer, while sharing this experience with her troupe sisters. The troupe has performed at Zambra Gitana, Cairo Carnival, World Fest, Arabia Exotica, Club 1001 Nights, Desert Dance Festival in San Jose. Another important influence on Leila's dance expression and teaching style, has been through dancing with Anahata in her Temple Dance class. Creative expression and bringing out your inner dance voice have become important aspects to her dance expression, in addition to bringing in aspects of East Indian and Tribal movements. Leila's interest in teaching Belly Dance stems from a desire to impart positive body awareness and creative physical expression to other people. Leila's experience as an Educator (MA in Education) and community leader facilitate learning, enthusiasm and personal growth among participants. Recently she has taught bellly dance to preteens, as well as adults in S. Central Los Angeles. She brings with her, a long history of performance as a Cellist and a background in cultural studies. Bellydance Teaching Schedule: Leila teaches out of her private home, Thursday evenings from 8:15 to 9:30 pm. Contact Leila gypsycello@yahoo.com